Roundabouts and How to Use Them

Some places have lots of them, some have very few. In America they're known as 'rotaries'. If you ever go to Swindon, you'll need to know how to navigate one because there are more there than anywhere else in the UK.

What am I talking about? Roundabouts!

What is a Roundabout?

According to the dictionary, a roundabout is a type of road junction or traffic calming device that leads traffic around a central island after yielding to the circulating traffic - in the UK, priority is given to traffic coming around the roundabout from the right hand side.

Why do we Use Roundabouts?

The modern roundabout has been around since 1904 when the first modern roundabout or 'traffic circle' was constructed in New York City, USA. In the 1960's British Engineers re-engineered the existing 'traffic circle' to overcome the previous limitations it had and began to introduce them on a massive scale across the country.

Roundabouts are believed to be a safer alternative to traditional junctions and many have been introduced over recent years as traffic-calming measures - to break up long A and B roads with the aim of reducing gradual speeding. Surveys have shown that 40% fewer vehicle collisions took place with 80% fewer injuries on roundabouts when compared with the results of the intersections that they had replaced. They also showed that there was a 90% reduction in serious injuries and fatalities.

Roundabouts are usually more popular than junctions or traffic lights as they allow motorists to move more freely with the flow of traffic and tend not to create large backlogs of traffic, as traffic lights can do. Larger roundabouts can be problematic though and there have been stories of people (especially new or inexperienced drivers) getting stuck on a roundabout and going around and around until the traffic calmed down and they were able to get off it unscathed, if a little dizzy.

Approaching a Roundabout

When approaching a roundabout, you should use Mirror - Signal - Manoeuvre at all times and continually adjust your speed and position to fit in with traffic conditions. Before you get onto a roundabout you should make sure that you are fully aware of the situation around you - including where you are entering the roundabout and which exit you should be leaving it from. On approach, you should be able to see a road sign that will indicate the shape of the roundabout and how many exits there are in total.

Safely Navigating a Roundabout

If you get your speed and gear right and the way is clear, on many occasions you will be able to merge with the moving traffic without stopping. Once you get onto the roundabout, keep a reasonable speed otherwise you may find that other drivers are confused by your actions and may end up overtaking you on the inside, which could cause problems for you and other roundabout users.

Always keep an eye on your mirrors but most importantly watch the car in front of you. Many accidents on roundabouts occur as drivers rear-end the car in front of them because they are watching the traffic on the roundabout not the traffic waiting to get on it. Make sure the vehicle has actually moved away before you start to move forward.

It's also important to be aware that many people don't understand roundabouts, or how to signal properly on them, so what they are telling you with their indicators might not be what they are actually about to do.

The following advice assumes a roundabout has 3 exits and is a handy guide to follow:

To Turn Left (leaving at the first exit)

Signals left, and approach the roundabout in the left-hand lane.

Keep to the left of the roundabout and signal left to leave

To Go Straight On (leaving at the second exit)

Choose the appropriate lane on approach to and on the roundabout. If you can't see the markings on the road then it is usually the safest option to keep in the left lane.

Stay in this lane until you are getting ready to exit the roundabout

Indicate left after you have passed the exit before the one you want.

To Turn Right (leaving at the third exit)

Indicate right and approach the roundabout in the right-hand lane

Keep to the right-hand lane on the roundabout until you need to change lanes to exit the roundabout

Signal left after you have passed the exit before the one that you want.

In all cases, you should make sure to watch out for:

Pedestrians who may be crossing the approach to the roundabout or exit roads.

Traffic crossing in front of you - most importantly vehicles that are going to leave at the next exit

Traffic straddling lanes or positioned incorrectly

Motorcyclists

Cyclists and horse riders (who must stay in the left hand lane but signal right if they intend to go around the roundabout

Long vehicles - they may have to move across several lanes, so be careful and watch for their signals.

Advice on what to do next?Pedestrian attacked car whilst I was stationary waiting for crowds to disperse, festival day in town. He gained access inside my car and physically assaulted elderly mum, punching her hand and arm. Kicking & thumping car, in a rage & shouting terrible abuse. Says car hit him, I didn't. He stepped backwards into road & I immediately stopped. It was a staged event for maximum effect(money) wife stood in front of car, took pic also ranting, blocking path. Been drinking maybe? I stayed calm waiting for safe gap to pull away from him, fearing for our lives. I reported to Special Officer down the road, Couple saw me stop him &walked to join us laughing. Officer talked to me & them, separately. I wanted to report it to station but officer said: nothing to report, it's festival week, no-one hurt, go home,don't worry & forget about it. No more to be said. 2 weeks later I get section 172 in post alleged offence "Driving without due care and attention". We counter charge with actual bodily assault against that man. Police don't visit us. Four different officers ring us,case beingpassed about. Assault case filed as undetected. Say no evidence on cctv camera. Told by investigating PC no evidence against me for the driving offence either. Returned completed 172. Am now being charged by Traffic division. This man filed an injury charge, I have just been told- says i ran over his foot, I didn't. Told there is a pic oftyre track on trousers.Could have done it since or when banging up against my car, kicking the wheel & tyres. He walked to the officer that day. Officer said no-one hurt. Now officer saying, i said i hit someone, didn't, I said i was involved in an incident. Officer had trouble hearing that day, told me it was due to grommits, had to keep repeating things to him. They dropped case against man but are prosecuting me? PC investigating assault for us said tell traffic division to ring me & I'll sort it, don't worry. But Traffic refuse to ring him.Tried to get solicitors to help-too expensive. What do I do next? I've done nothing but I am the one being charged? Told by Traffic to accept one day educational driving course £165 But that would admit liability & guilt, would end police involvement but leave me wide open to Civil claim for compensation by this horrible man wouldn't it? .Any advice appreciated thank you.